‘Well, he was as short and bustling as ever; he never seems to have time to discuss anything. “That’s what I want,” he says; “if you don’t like it, write, and tell me why.” All he said about it was that he desired me to feel independent.’
The uneasy expression reappeared on Aunt Hessy’s face.
‘Have you consented to make this change?’ she asked quietly.
‘I could see no objection; and in several ways the arrangement will be convenient. I made it clear that it was not in any way to be considered as a step towards separating me from my family. He said I could please myself as regarded my family—he had nothing to do with that.... Do you not like it, Madge?’
The clear eyes looked wistfully in his face. ‘No, Philip; I do not like it. But perhaps Mr Shield is right; and it may be as well that you should have the experience of being away from us for a time at least.’
‘Living away from you! Why I shall be here as often as ever!’
She said nothing; and Aunt Hessy put the apparently irrelevant question:
‘Have you seen Mr Beecham to-day, Madge?’
‘We saw him by the stile at the foot of the meadow as we passed.’
Aunt Hessy, with evident disappointment, abandoned the droll fancy which had for a time possessed her mind.